ALRIGHT, ALLLLLRIGHT!
Great to be back. I know I said friday... like a week and a half ago or so. Sheesh. I can't remember.
Little background about myself: I'm in the military on Active Duty. So I'm constantly tired from the day-to-day hustle and bustle that is the Military and I'm constantly pulled into various duties. So please don't tar-and-feather me for this.
I've been thinking about this chapter for awhile and I am happy with how this turned out overall. Please excuse the grammar!
Please read, review, and share!
Chapter 4: The Talk
Kazuto was struggling to keep his emotions in check and his face flat as he leaned up against his street bike in the parking lot.
"What did you want to talk about?" He asked. The pain in his voice from talking to her barely concealed.
"Just wanted to see how you were doing… It's been quite awhile, huh?" Her voice was as sweet as ever and yet, her eyes looked pained. The smile she wore reminded Kazuto of the smile you give someone you feel sorry for. He never liked those smiles from anyone.
"Yeah… It has. I mean, I saw you in the dicey a few days ago but it's been awhile since we actually talked."
"I saw you too. Actually, I saw you when I walked in."
"I figured you did. I was in my favorite seat at the bar."
"Haha" she chuckled. "So I heard from Rika that you've been drinking a lot for a long time now. Is that true?" She looked him in the eyes.
Kazuto found it tough to look back for very long before sheepishly looking to the ground and mumbled his response.
"Yeah…"
"Rika also told me that you are doing it because of me. Is it?"
"I would be lying if I said it didn't. I promised a long time ago that I wouldn't lie to you. I'll hold by that promise until everything stops. So yeah, a big part of my near alcoholism is because of what happened. Between that, trying to bring Yui here and work, that would cover it." Kazuto started to feel a little bit more of the pain as he thought about it. His façade was cracking.
"When did you start track riding? You looked pretty comfortable out there at those speeds. I was kinda worried." Asuna blushed as she said that. Her heart began to pound as she thought about Kazuto zooming by on his bike and what would happen to him if he wrecked. She felt a pang in her heart as she thought of the latter part.
"Umm…." Kazuto thought hard about when exactly he began. "Around 3 years ago. I was more messed up than I am now, and I wanted to get my mind off it and why things happened." He admitted.
"Oh… Thinking back on it, I don't think I ever told you what went wrong. For that, Kazuto, I am very sorry." As she said that, her voice hitched. "I put you through m-m-more pain than it s-s-s-should have been." Tears began to fall from her eyes.
Kazuto's heart leaped. He hated to see her cry. He wanted to pull her to him and hold her tight like he used to. He stopped himself from doing that. It would be inappropriate, even if they were still friends.
"The least I can do is tell you why and hopefully give you some closure. So… I broke it off because back then, I wanted so much. I thought that you and I were pretty much as good as we were ever going to get and I didn't like that thought. You were perfect. Such a gentleman. I guess I wanted to try something else. You didn't do anything wrong."
There it was. The reason she did it. Kazuto was upset but at least now he had closure. He had a few more questions on his mind.
"So if I didn't do anything wrong, why did you wait so long to tell me? 4 years Asuna. 4 long torturous years. I almost died several times during that. Either from alcohol poisoning or wrecking my bike here. Why so long?" He asked, his voice flat.
"I was scared. I was scared that you would do something dangerous. Obviously, I should have told you sooner…. Kazuto, if it's any consolation, you were the best guy that I've ever dated. You still are, actually. Everything about you is better than anyone. From the romance you are capable of, to the gentle heart and touch you have, even the sex was amazing. Back then, I wanted something else. But now, all I think about is how had everything I could ever want with you and how much of a moron I was for throwing it away."
"I see… Asuna, Tozu beats you doesn't he?" Kazuto asked, with a slight edge at the thought.
"Kazuto…I…. yes.." she mumbled. "Please don't worry about it."
"That is impossible. Asuna, I'm going to worry. I'm going to be pissed. You are too good to have to live with that."
"I'm not. I'm not a good person. I put you through 4 years of torture" She replied and started crying again.
This time, Kazuto walked up to her and pull her into an embrace reminiscent of the old days. He hated seeing her cry. He loved holding her close.
"Nobody deserves to be abused like that." Asuna began sobbing hard into Kazuto's chest. He was a bit more solid and muscular than she remembered.
After she stopped crying, they just stood there and talked about ALO and Yui and all sorts of random stuff until just after 5 pm.
"Well, We should probably go get them. Hopefully they haven't broken anything in my bay." Kazuto said.
Asuna chuckled, "Well, it is Rika in there with your tools and bike."
They walked back to the bay in silence, but a little closer together. Almost like the first time they were in a party together, 10 years ago.
Read, review, and share! Feedback is always appreciated! Unless it's about grammar. Then I'll tell y'all to read "No Country for Old Men". :P
You guys are awesome!
